Method and apparatus for contouring surfaces



July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1948 076 22 Wolflcfd July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE 2,553,773

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES Filed Aug. 18, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zhwenlor attorneys July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 18, 1948 13mm Mn pmaie 1951 J. P. PEARSE 2,558,778

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES Filed Aug. 18, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 mtorncga July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE 2,558,778

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES Filed Aug. 18, 1948 I ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Zhwentor 0/241 flea/axe attorneys July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 18, 1948 3nventor .d/(Zl attornega July 3, 1951 J. P. PEARSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 18, 1948 161 160 fig. 16

1951 J. P. PEARSE 2,558,778

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES Filed Aug. 18, 1948 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 i as was 1951 J. P. PEARSE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR con'rouRluc SURFACES ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 18, 1948 Jnvcntor a 0 "u .umnv u u .0 o @9 0 o @023. 0

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES Filed Aug. 18, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet l1 Z44 o/Z n We izzl e g jalbpe am m m Patented July 3, 1951 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTOURING SURFACES John P. Pearse, Swanton, Ohio, assignor to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 18, 1948, Serial No. 44,905

12 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for contouring or profiling surfaces, and more particularly to the reproduction of the exact profile or contour of a so-called master or model on a work piece.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of the invention comprises a model of the exact contour to be reproduced, an abrasive tool, such as an endless belt, that travels over and in contact with the contoured surface of the model, and a support for the work, with means for moving the work support relative to the model to bring the work into operative engagement with the abrasive tool.

While not restricted to such use, the invention is especially well adapted to the reproduction of exact contours on outline molds that are to be used in the bending of glass sheets or plates.

Such outline, open-type, or ring molds are usually made up as a substantially continuous sheet metal frame, shaped to support the marginal portions of the glass sheet, after it has been bent, upon the edges of the sheet metal of the frame. Thus, the actual supporting and shaping surfaces of these molds have a very small cross section and since they must be shaped so as to produce at least a one-way bend, usually of non-uniform curvature, and often a two-directional bend, in the glass sheet, the accurate contouring of these molds presents a difficult problem; especially since the glass sheets must be accurately bent on them to very close tolerances.

Heretofore, final profiling of the. supporting surfaces of the outline molds has been done by a trial and error method, involving alternately repeated hand filing of the surfaces and comparison with the model or master. Such procedure is slow, expensive and time and labor consuming, and does not lend itself to quantity production or exact duplication of contour in a large number of molds.

It is an aim of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for rapidly, economically and accurately reproducing the exact contour of a model on a work piece or a series of work pieces.

Another object is the provision for this purpose of a profiling apparatus which includes a support for a pattern or model, an abrasive belt mounted to travel over and in contact with a surface of the model on the support, and a work support, movable toward the pattern to bring the work into operative engagement with the moving belt on the pattern.

Another object is to provide, in apparatus of the above character, an adjustable support for port directly toward and away from the pattern and for also swinging the work support toward and away from and into angular relation with the pattern.

Another object is the provision in such an apparatus of means for causing linear travel of the abrasive belt in one direction across and in contact with the model surface, while at the same time reciprocating the belt bodily across the model surface in another direction.

Still another object is to provide a waxed and polished contoured surface on the model, and

over which the abrasive belt travels.

the pattern and means for moving the work supin Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a contouring machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one type of mold to be finished on the machine;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine, as viewed from the rear of the abrasive belt carrying carriage;

Fig. 4 is a composite view in perspective showing the working arrangement of the model, belt, and work piece;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine with the carriage moved into a position of operation with reference to the bed portion;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail of the model supporting table and of the supports therefor;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view as taken on the line 1-1 in Fig. 6 and illustrates the central, swivel support for the table;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 as indicated in Fig. 6 to show in detail the arrangement for supporting the table in a substantially horizontal plane or in planes which are angular with respect thereto;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a portion of the machine, partly in section, showing the supporting and elevating members for the mold frame;

Fig. 10 is a view of a section, taken substantially on the line I0| 0 indicated in Fig. 3, showing the hydraulic mechanism for revolving the mold frame from a normal horizontal plane;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the hinge connection and support for the mold frame on the elevating member;

Fig. '12 is a detail view of an automatic control for radial movement of the mold frame;

Fig. 13 is a view of a section'taken substantially on the broken line l3-l3 as indicated in Fi 3;

iig. 14 is a detail view of the manual control for the elevating members;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a corner of the carriage;

Fig. 16 is a view of a section taken substantially on the plane of the line Iii-46 in Fig. 1 of the hydraulically actuated belt take-up pulley;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the take-up pulley as taken on the line l'l--I| in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view of a section taken on the line Ill-I8 as indicated in Fig. 1 and illustrates one of the belt pulley mountings and meansfor adjusting the same;

Fig. 19 is a view of a section taken on the line l9-l9 inFig. 18; V

- Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail view of the linkage for moving the carriage; f

Fig. 21 is a view of a section, taken on the line 2I--2l as indicated in Fig. 3, of the cylinder arrangement for moving the carriage;

Fig. 22 is a detail view of the switch controls for limiting movement of the carriage;

Fig. 23 is an end view of the control elements shown in Fig. 22; and i Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic and electric systems employed for operating and controlling the contouring machine. 1

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 a contouring machine constructed in accordance with a preferred form of the invention. As illustrated, this machine comprises broadly a stationary bed, indicated by the letter A, from which are supported, in opposed relationship, a table B for supporting the model to be reproduced, and a support C for the work; and a traversin carriage, indicated by the letter D, which carries the abrasive tool in the form of an endless belt E. In operating the machine, the work support C is first moved away from the table B, in a manner to be more clearly hereinafter described, to permit a model F to be attached to the table 13 and a work piece G to be clamped to the support 0. (Fig. 9.) The carriage D is then moved inwardly toward the bed A to permit the upper run of the belt E to be trained over the upper surface of the model F. (Figs. 3 and 4.)

The work support C is then lowered until the surface areas of the work that are to be profiled contact the abrasive surface of the belt. Preferably, when starting the machine operation, the belt is in motion at the time of engagement and its abrasive action on the work 'will be first noted at the high points of the rough surface to be ground. The belt is driven and carriedby operative parts of the carriage D which, during the profiling operation, is caused to reciprocate toward. and away from the bed A while the belt is in lirlear motionr Reciprocatory travel of the carriage is controlled to limit the extent of movement in either direction so that the traveling belt will be maintained on the surface of the model at all times. As the contacted areas of the work are gradually'reduced to the desired contour, the work support is lowered until engagement'of the belt and work at all points is equal, as effected by the support of the belt on the surface of the model or tem plate as illustrated in Fig. 4. V

The machine bed The stationary bed portion A of the machine comprises a floor base ID, a plurality of vertically disposed columns II and a crown or cap plate I2 supported thereon. The opposite ends of the columns are located in collared brackets I3 which are bolted to the top surface or plate I4 of the base l and to the crown plate l2. The columns II are arranged at the corners of the top plate l4, and thus serve in pairs I and 16 as guiding surfaces for bearing members which carry the frame I! and the necessary functional elements for producing its necessary motion in both a perpendicular and a radial direction of movement as will be described hereinafter.

Arranged between the pairs of columns and I6 and extending outwardly from the top plate M of the base are a pair of beams l8 which are suitably bolted to the top plate. The beams l8 support the table I9 on which the plaster or wood model, such as indicated at F, Fig. 3, is secured. The table is so supported that when more efficientoperation may be obtained by tilting of the table from a substantially horizontal plane, it can be swiveled to the desired angle and there retained. As shown in Fig. 6, the table [9 is centrally supported by a ball connection, indicated by the numeral 20, and, at each of its corners, by adjusting screws 2i. The ball connection is carried by the beams It! on cross channels 22 extending therebetween. The connection comprises a stud 23 having a spherical end 25 located on a series of ball bearings 25 (Fig. 7). The bearings are mounted in a race 26 contained within the boss portion 21 of a bracket 28, bolted to the channels 22. The spherical end 24 is maintained on the bearings by retainer plates 29 secured to the bracket 28 and having spherically formed inner surfaces 30 which are complementary to the end 25. The outer end 3| of the stud 23 is threaded and received in a locator plate 32 bolted to the under side of the table'l9. Retention of the stud is effected by means of a bolt 33 threaded into the end 3! from the upper or opposite side of the table. The table is thus supported centrally thereof in a manner to permit it to assume any desired angularity of position within the limits of movement of the spherical end 2% of the stud withinthe bracket 28, and is retained in such desired position by means of the adjusting screws 2!. The threaded shafts 3d of the screws 2|, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, are slidably mounted in brackets 35 that are secured to the beams 58. Movement of the screw shafts with respect to the brackets 35 is produced by hand wheels 36 and 3'! located on said screw shafts 38 above and below the bearing portion 38 of the brackets through which the screws extend. To assure strength of support, each screw shaft is formed with a heavy thread, commonly referred to as Acme," and the hand wheels 36 and 31 are similarly threaded internally. The shaft of each screw 2| is also formed havin a keyway 39 for receiving a key 40, located in the bearing portion 38 of the bracket, to produce endwise movement of the screw when the hand wheels are rotated along'its threaded portion. When the desired projection of the screw is obtained, either or both of the hand wheels can be employed as looking members. The screws support the table IS in its corner areas at their upper ends which are received in cup plates 4|. The ends 42 of the screws are finished with arcuate or spherical surface which bear against the bottom of the recessed portion 43 of the plates 4|. The bearing relation of the arcuate surfaces and the plates 4| permits an adequacy of angular position to be assumed by the table l9 and a freedom of movement by the screws when they move with respect to the table and cup plates to allow an alteration in its position. According to the desired direction of movement to be imparted to the screw, the hand wheel 31 below the bearing portion i released while the opposite hand wheel 36 is turned to raise or lower'the screw shaft 34. Thus, the best position for a model, as indicated by the letter F, may be approximated by preliminary location of the table l9, after which a solid connection can be established with reference to the beams l8 by means of the adjustin screws 2| and the related hand wheels 36 and 31.

Having suitably arranged the model F on the table I9, a mold or other work piece, indicated by the latter G, is placed thereof and secured to the frame H. The frame I! is quadrangular in form, having an open central area that is bounded by ledges H to which the mold or its supporting means is secured (Fig. The frame I! and mold G can then be moved in their entirety awayfrom the model F until the abrasive belt E is located therebetween. The frame is carried, as previously described, on the pairs of columns l5 and I6 and the manner of its movement may be effected either manually or mechanically according to the desired mode of operation.

As shown in Fig. 9, a supportin connection between the frame I! and the pairs of columns l5 and I6 is obtained by a composite housing 44 comprising bearing housings 45 and 46 and an intermediate housing 41. The three housings are rigidly secured together by bolts 48 so as to function as an integral unit or housing 44. To assure ample bearings surface for slidably supporting the frame on the pairs of columns I5 and I6, sleeve bearings 49 are located in the ends of the housings 45 and 46, and to prevent entrance-of dust and abrasive particles, the ends of each housing member are provided with suitable dust caps 50.

The frame l1, having been described as movable with the housing members 44 i fsupported with reference thereto by trunnion or hinge connections, as indicated at 5|. The hinge connections comprise a yoke 52 and pivot block 53, the two affordin the hinge by means of a journaled pin 54. As shown in Fig. 11, each yoke 52 is attached by bolts 55 to a related bearing housing 46 while the block 53 of the hinge 5| is secured to the vertically disposed wall 56 of the frame IT by bolts 51. By means of the hinge connections 5|, the frame l'l is carried and adapted to move with the housing 44 and also to revolve from substantially a horizontal position to one approximately the vertical (Fig. This particular feature of the contouring machine permits ready removal and replacement of the molds and also positioning of irregular mold forms in a combination with tilting of the model supporting table l9. In addition, periodic inspection of the mold shaping surface may be made during the finishing thereof.

The frame I1 is caused to revolve about the axes of the pins 54 .by means of a hydraulic cylinder 58. The cylinder i carried by the housings 45 and 41 on each side of the machine. The housings 45 and 41 are interconnected by links or tie bars 59 and 60 respectively on which is centrally mounted a trunnion support bracket 6|. The tie bars 59 and 66 are arranged in parallelism and extend transversely between the housings, the bar 59 being connected to the bearing housings 45 at either end while the bar 60 is connected to the housings 41 at its respective ends. The trunnion bracket 6|, mounted thereon and extending between the two bars (Figs. 9 and 10), has bearin portions 62 and caps 63 for receivin the axles 64 of a mounting block 65 secured to and forming a part of the cylinder assembly. The cylinder is borne on the axles 64 and in the bearing portions of the trunnion bracket 6| to enable angular movement thereof as its associated piston rod 66 imparts a radial movement to the frame ll. The piston rod 66 and the frame are pivotally interconnected as indicated by the pin 61, the head of the rod being located between the ends 68 of a triangularly formed extension 69 from the main body portion of the frame l'l.

If desired, an adjustable cam 10 can be positioned on one of the ends 68 of the extension 69 to actuate a portion of the hydraulic system for the cylinder 58 when the frame I! has reached a substantially horizontal position for the purpose of safeguarding against injury to the cylinder should the operation continue sufficiently to, overrun the working limitations or nominal stroke thereof. As shown in Fig. 12, the cam 16 is pivotally mounted on the extension 68 by means of a bolt H. Adjustment of the relation of the cam surface 12 with reference to the actuating plunger of the valve 13 is obtained by release of a, set screw 14 located in an arcuate formed slot I5 in the cam plate. The cam is looked, after adjustment, in a desired position by means of the set screw 14 and lock screw 16.

A mechanical stop may also be effected to halt rotation of the frame I! by the bolt 11 threaded into a block 18 projecting from the tie bar 60. A lock nut 19 on the bolt ll engages the under face of the block to arrest rotation of said bolt after it has been positioned relative to a pad 86 extending between the ends 68 of the extension 69. With this arrangement, best shown in Fig. 10, rotation of the frame I! by the cylinder 58 will be slowed to a halt, in a manner to be hereinafter described. as the cam 18 actuates the valve 13; and furtherrotation of said frame beyond a substantially horizontal position will be positively arrested by engagement of the bolt 71 against the pad of the extension 69.

Thus, the frame I! may be manipulated to position the mold or work piece G or to raise and/or lower the mold with reference to the model F on the table l9. In regular operation and while finishing of the mold is being performed, the frame is carried by the housings 44 on the pairs of columns l5 and I6 and is moved,

up and down, therealong, by means of threaded shafts 8| and 82 which act to move the frame according to the demands of the operation and particularly to advance or feed the work downwardly to and against the abrasive belt 83 carried between the mold and the model. Due to the necessary ratio of reduction to be imparted to rotation of the shafts 8| and 82, a pair of gear reduction units 84 and 85 are employed. (Figs. 9 to 13.) The said reduction units are operated by means of a hand wheel 86 and a preciseness of touch or control can be imparted to the operation so that the abrading influence of the belt 83 will serve its purpose without undue creation of mold G, a motor 81 may be used.

The general arrangement for both procedures is best seen in Figs. 13 and 14, wherein the man- 1 ual means is indicated by the hand wheel 88 and the mechanical means by the motor 81 mounted on the base I8. A compound shaft, generally indicated by the numeral 88, extends between the hand wheel 85 and the motor 81 and transmits the power thereby provided to the gear reduction units 84 and 85 located midway between the pairs of columns I5 and I5. More particularly, the shaft 88 has several portions which are inter connected by couplings 88 and a clutch 88. Thus, the central portion 8| of the shaft is located between the r'eduction units 84 and 85 and connected to the adjoining shafts 82 and 83 respectively of said units by the couplings 88. A third coupling 84 unites the opposite end of the shaft 83 of the reduction unit 85 to the shaft 85 of the motor 81. Thus, when the motor is energized, its power will be transmitted by means of the shafts 8|, 83 and 85 to both of the reduction units 84 and 85; however, when it is desirous to operate the shaft 88 by means of the hand wheel 85, the clutch 88 is engaged to impart rotation of the adjoining end of the shaft 82 of the reduction unit 84 and, through the couplings 88 and the shaft part 8|, to the reduction unit 85.

As shown in Fig. 14, the separable parts 85 and 81 of the clutch 88 are so mounted that they may be generally maintained in engaged ordisengaged relation. The clutch part 86 is keyed to the adjacent end of the reduction unit shaft 82 while the clutch part 81 is carried by a stub shaft 88, journaled in sleeve bearings 88 of a bracket I88 and carrying the hand wheel 86 at its opposite end. The shaft 88 has suflicient length to permit movement of the clutch part 81 with reference to the clutch part 86 according to directional pressure applied at the hand wheel. To

temporarily locate the shaft 88 and the parts mounted thereon in operative or inoperative positions, a pair of grooves |8| are formed in the periphery of the shaft to cooperate with a spring actuated ball lock I82 in the hub I83 of the bracket I88.

The power, derived from either the hand wheel 86 or the motor 81, is transmitted through the gear reduction units 84 and 85 to shafts8l and 82 which are located between the pairs of columns I5 and I8 and in substantially parallel relation therewith. The shafts 8| and 82 are connected to the driven shafts of the reduction units 84 and 85 by means of couplings I84. The central, major portion of each shaft has formed therein a square thread I85 on which is fitted a threaded sleeve I85 contained within the intermediate housing 41 of the composite housing.

The frame I1 will thus be caused to move in a vertical direction upon rotation of the shafts.

' The upper end of each shaft 8| and 82 is journaled in a housing I81 mounted on the crown plate I2. Contained within the housing is a thrust bearing I88 for sustaining the weight of the shaft and relieving resistance to rotation by reason of its weight. The bearing I88 comprises split thrust members I88 having conically formed outer surfaces complementary to the inner conical surface of a ring H8. The thrust members are positioned against a shoulder III formed by the groove H2 in the end of the shaft (in each instance, 8| and 82) 80 that the shaft is hung or carried by the members I88 and 8 which in turn are supported on a bearing H3. The bearing assembly and the shaft end is protected by a dust plate or gland II4 through which the shaft extends.

The belt carriage created within a hydraulic cylinder included in the pressure system of the machine and which is actuated periodically to reverse the directional pressure by electric controlling members for the related valves that are interposed between the cylinder and said pressure source. Hydraulic means is also employed to maintain the abrasive belt in adequate tension while said belt is moving across the surface of the model which surface is contoured according to the desired outline to be reproduced on the shaping surfaces of the work.

In Fig. 2, a work piece in the form of a representative mold G for the bending of flat articles, such as glass sheets or plates, is shown. The shaping surfaces 5 of the mold are produced in the edge of a thin metal strip H6 that has been suitably bent or otherwise worked to produce side portions a and b and interconnecting end portions 0 and d. The metal strip H6 is supported with reference to the rigid frame III by means of struts 8. In the arrangement as shown, the surface of the side a partakes of a curve generated by the arcs of different radius, while the similar surface of the side b is curved and follows the are generated by one radius. The side portions 0 continuing from the sides a and b by the corner surfaces may be substantially straight or slightly concave and the said corner surfaces locatable in a common, level plane. Across the end portion d, however, the. edge surface of the mold descends in a straight or curved line from one corner surface to the opposite surface. The resulting contour of the mold shaping surface H5 is reversed in the development of the model F and the surface formed by convex areas that are blended or faired gradually from an area approximating the side portion a of the pulleys II8, I28, I2| and I22 (Fig. 3) are mounted on joumaled shafts that are arranged so that the pulleys supporting the upper flight of the belt can be elevated according to the surface of the model F and other of the pulleys can move to compensate for variations of the model surfaces as the belt is drawn thereacrosswhile being moved laterally with reference to the side of the model. More particularly, the upper flight of the belt 83 is carried by the pulleys I I8 and I28, about the take-up pulley |2I and to and about the drive pulley I22.

The body or frame I23 of the carriage D is substantially rectangular in outline, angle members I24 arranged along either side being connected. at their ends by channels I25 (Fig. 21) Rising '9 at the facing corners ofthe' frame, are corner posts I26 (Figs. 1, 3, and 18), on which the pulleys II9, I20 and I2I are supported. The posts I26 are formed of opposed channels I2'I having structural braces I28 and I29 extending therebetween. A plurality of rails I30 are attached to the outer legs of the channels and particularly in the upper areas, the rails in their assembly forming guideways I3I for the base I32 of a supporting member I33. The supporting member is constructed so that one portion may be moved in hinged relation to the base portion and so that both portions can be moved vertically within the guideways I3I.

The supporting member I 33 is movable along the ways I3I by means of a threaded shaft I34 disposed between the channels I21 and carried in journals I35 and I36 in the braces I28 and I29 respectively, as shown in Figs. 15 and 18. Operative connection between the base portion I 32 and the threaded shaft is effected through a block nut I31 secured to the base. The shaft I34 is rotated by means of a suitable hand crank I38 keyed to the upper end thereof to raise or lower the supporting member I33 according to the desired elevation or height of either the pulley I I9 or I20 with reference to reception of the belt 83 from either end of the model F.

The pulley H9 or I20, as the casemay be, is journaled on a shaft I39 carried in blocks I40 secured to a hinge plate I4I of the member I33 (Figs. 18 and 19). The hinge plate I4I has a block I42 that is mounted for pivotal movement between lugs I43 projecting from the base plate I32, the block and the lugs being drilled to receive the pintle I44. In order to swing and to secure the hinge plate I relative to the base plate, a pair of hand knobs I45 and I46 are provided to serve in one instance as an adjusting means and in the other as a lock. Each of the knobs have threaded shanks I41 and I48, respectively, and a bearing collar I49 is located between the handle of the knob I45 and the plate MI. The shank I41 extends through an opening in said plate and is threaded into a tapped hole I50 in the base plate I32 while the shank I48 is threaded through a tapped hole I5I in the plate I4I into abutting contact with the plate I32. The hand knobs thus cooperate to swing the plate and to lock the same in any desired position upon releasement of the shank I48 from contact with the base plate and then turning the shank I41 inwardly or outwardly in relation to the base. Since the bearing collar I49 acts to move the plate MI in one direction when urged by the .knob I45, rotation of the plate about the pintle I 44 by turning of the knob I46 will bring the plate against the collar and upon continuance will actively clamp said plate. The binding relation established will prevent loosening from operating vibrations once a position of adjustment has been obtained.

The supporting shafts I39 of the pulleys H9 and I20 can thus be positioned in parallelism or at angles to each other to allow for wear or other inaccuracies which become obvious when the belt cannot properly be received but tends to run up on either of the pulleys. This would create a worn condition on either edge of the belt and eventually initiate starting breaks that might rupture an otherwise usable belt.

When the supporting members I33 in each corner of the carriage have been located in the desired elevation for the pulleys H9 and I 20,

said members are clamped against the ways I? by means of bars I62 having hand knobs I53 carried thereon. Thethreaded shanks. I54 of the knobs are located in suitably tapped holes in' the base plates, I32 and, '.bymeans of bearing collars I55, draw the bars I52 and thelplates I32 tightly against the ways I3I. Accidental or vibratory movement, or play of the threaded shaft I34 will thus be arrested and the supporting members secured in one position. The take-up and drive pulleys I2I and I22 for the belt 83 are disposed-beneath the pulleys .II9

, and I20 so that the belttravels in a. substantially rectangular path. .During the traversing reciprocation of the carriage D, the returning flight of the belt will be located beneath the table I9 and the beams I8 on which it is supported. The carriage accordingly can be. moved to its extreme innermost position with respectto surface area of the model F mounted on the table I9. The pulley I2I, serving as the belt, take-up element, is located beneath the pulley II9, as shown in Fig. 3. The pulley I is sup-*- ported, so that it assumes a floating relation with the belt and allows the upper flight of the belt to increase in expanse while still being retained in a generally taut condition. Conversely, when the belt lengthens in the returning flight, the pulley is urged in an opposite direction to maintain the taut condition. This take-up feature is automatically employed for preferred operation and is made possible by meansof a constant pressure cylinder acting upon the support for the pulley. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the pulley is journaled on a shaft I56 that is carried in blocks I5'I on a plate I58. The plate is pivotally supported in the lower extremity of ranged therein for repositioning of the shaft and plate when found necessary by reason of a longer belt or a material change in height'of the model. i

The pulley I2I andplate I58 are swung on the I shaft I60 by a cylinder I63 pivotally mounted by a clamping ring I64 on bars I65. Theclamping ring I64 has diameterically opposed trunnion projections I66 extending into journals provided in the bars. cylinder is hingedly connected to the plate I 58 by a pin I68 extending through the end of the rod and a clip I69 secured to the plate. Outward thrust of the piston rod is maintained through the employment of suitable valves between the cylinder and the hydraulic source and, when the machine is operating, the rod is caused to urge the plate I58 to swing outwardly thereby forcing the pulley I2I against the belt and al lowing the pulley to more or less float back and forth according to the expanse of belt in the returning or lower flight. As variations on the contour of the model produce a temporary need for a greater length of belt in the upper or working position, the plate will be caused to force the piston rod inwardly of the cylinder but as the belt traverses a differing area of the model F and the working portion of the belt shortens up, the cylinder pressure will advance the rod causing the plate I58 and pulley I2I to compensate for the developing slack.

The pulley I22, which operates the belt 88,

I the. I base I0 or projections therefrom without danger of impedance to the bolt travel over any desired The piston rod I61 of the is located beneath the pulley I20. The pulley is mounted on a journaled shaft I that is coupled to the shaft of a motor IN. The motor is supported on the side of the carriage frame I23. Thecircuit for the motor "I is completed by suitable switches located conventionally in a panel at the operator's station, as seen in Fig. 24, and explained more in detail hereinafter.

It has been found in actual practice that use of the pulleys H8 and I20 can be dispensed with in the finishing of long molds and where the model covers substantially all-of the area of the table between the sides. The belt 83, in such instances, is trained about the take-up pulley I2I and the drive pulley I22 only and the upper or working flight 0f the belt is supported solely on the surface of the model.

The carriage B is provided in each of its corner areas with wheels I12 that are carried on stub shafts I13. The wheels .are located between pairs of angles I14 constituting a portion of the frame I23 and extending between the channels I25. The wheels travel on rails I15 and I18. Preferably, at least one rail and one' pair of wheels are adapted to cooperate as a guide track and as shown in Fig. 16, the rail I15 is provided in the form of an angle bar I11 that is attached to a bed plate I18 to afford a V-shaped rail, while the related wheels have complementary annular grooves I19 formed in their peripheries. The carriage D will thus be caused to travel in a straight path without creeping deviations which eventually would disrupt the mobile relation of the carriage and the bed portion of the machine.

The reciprocating travel of the carriage along the rails I15 and I16 is produced by a hydraulic cylinder I80 which is controlled to alternately supply pressure at each end within a length of piston stroke equal to the desired lateral movement of the belt 83 across the model F. The cylinder is located and extends through suitably formed apertures in the walls of the base III of the bed portion A (Fig. 21). Preferably, the normal stroke of said cylinder is sufficient to bring the carriage well under the table I9 or outwardly therefrom an adequate distance for movement about the associated parts. The piston rod I8I is attached by a link I82 to a block I83 carried on a cross web I84 of the carriage frame I23. The alternate supplying of hydraulic pressure to each end of the cylinder is automatically controlled by a pair of cams I85 and I 88 that are mounted in spaced relation on the frame I23 (Fig. 22).

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the cams I85 and I88 have angulaly formed surfaces I81 and I88.

formed on the lower edge of their body portions that are attached by bolts I88 to a slotted plate I80 secured to a part of the carriage frame. The cams are disposed on the slotted plate I90 so as to actuate, bymeans of their respective cam surface I81, the arms I! of a pair of limit switches I92 and I83 that are secured to a floor plate I94. To limit the lateral working area of the belt as determined by the width of the mold or to prevent the belt from running off either side of the model, the effective controlling distance between the actuating surfaces I81 of the cams I 85 and I88 is made equal to such desired widths and, by means of the switches I92 and I93, control valves for the cylinder I80 are operatedto periodically reverse the flow of pressure and thus automatically bring about reciprocation of the carriage D. The limit switches I82 and I93 are included in the general system and arrangement of a control if desired have been dispensed with for reasons of clarity. The panel, generally indicated at I95, is usually mounted on the bed portion A in convenient positionfor the operator and is provided with adequate control devices for initiating or halting the operation of any or all of the functioning parts. The switches I86 and I81, as indicated, control. the operation of the cylinder 58 for rotation of the frame I1 upward or downward about the hinges 5|; the switches I88 and I88, the elevation or descent of the frame by means of the motor 81 and through the threaded shafts 8| and 82; the switch 200 controls the belt motor I1I, while the switch 20I controls the circuit for a pump motor. The switches 202, 203, 204 and 205 provide for the operation of the carriage D; the switches 204 and 205 determining whether the control thereof shall be manual or automatic if manual, then the circuits are established through the switches 202 and 203, otherwise, the switch 205 places the carriage under the control Of the limit switches I92 and I93.

Following the above-described circuits more in detail, the switches collectively are connected to one side of -V service outlet 206 by the line 201 while the return to the service outlet is indicated at 208. The switch 20I, which controls the operation of a motor, indicated at 209, of the pump 2I0 for supplying fluid under pressure to the hydraulic system, completes a circuit when depressed from the service line 201 to aline 2H and coil 2I2 of a relay switch 2I3. The return side of the coil is connected by a line 2I4 to the service return 208. The relay switch 2I3 closes a pair of contacts 2I5 and 2I8 to establish a circuit from the service sources 2I1 and 2 I8 by lines 2I8 and 220 to the motor leads HI and 222, and thence from the motor 208 to the service return 223 by a line 224. During operation of the pump 2I0, fluid pressure is directed to a plurality of valves which actuate the pistons of the cylinders 58, I63 and I80, accordin to their described purpose or sequence of operation.

Thus, when the frame I1 is to be swung in an upward or downward direction of rotation, the switch I98 or I81 will be employed tocreate circuits for operation of the solenoid actuated valve 225. The service line 201 is connected through the switch I98, when closed, to a line 226 extending to the end 221 of the valve 225; the circuit being completed to the service return 208 by the line 228. The valve 225 is connected to the pump 2 I0 by a pipe 229 and directs the hydraulic pressure to the upper end of the cylinder 58 by a pipe 230. As the piston rod 68 is moved outwardly, the lower end of the cylinder is exhausted by a pipe 23I, through the valve and to the reservoir tank 232 by a pipe 233.

During the interval of switch closure, the piston rod .66 will carry the extension 89 of the frame downward with a resultant upwardly swinging movement of the frame I1 about the hinges 5| (broken lines in Fig. 10). Likewise, when the switch I96 is open andthe switch I91 is actuated, a circuit from the service line 201 through the switch and by the line 234 to the opposite end 235 of the'solenoid valve 225 and lines 236 and 228 to the return 208, will cause reversal of the valve mechanism so as to supply hydraulic pressure through the pipes 229 and 23I to the lower end of the cylinder 58. The piston rod 66 will accordingly be moved inwardly and the contained fluid exhausted by the pipe 230, the valve and pipe 233 to the tank 232. As the piston rod raises the extension 69 of the frame, the body portion thereof will descend to a substantially horizontal position (full lines in Figs. 1 and 10) as when placing a mold G relative to the model F.

Should the pressure be inadvertently maintained in the pipe 23I after the frame I1 has been returned to a horizontal position, the cam 10 will have operated the valve 13 to create a block in the pressure line between the valve 225 and the cylinder 58 thus assuring a gradual deceleration of movement of the piston rod 66. The parallel control afforded by the stop bolt 11 which engages the pad 80 of the frame extension 69 (Fig. 10) positively stops the frame at its horizontal position following operation of the valve 13.

The switches I98 and I99 control the service lines to the motor 81, which drives the threaded shafts 8| and 82 through the shaft 88 and reduction units 84 and 85 to raise and lower the frame I1 vertically, through the double contacts of a relay switch 231. The switch I98, when depressed, completes a circuit from the service line 201, the line 238 to the coil 239 of the relay 231 and line 240 to the return branch 228, closing the double contacts MI and 242 of the relay to establish supply circuits from the service sources 2I1 and 2I8 by the lines 243 and 244 and the lines 245 and 246 to the motor 81 to lift the frame I1 by the housing assemblies 44, the return from the motor being by the line 241 to the service return 223. Release of the switch I98 deenergizes the control circuits of the motor 81 and the frame I1 remains stationary unless the switch I98 is again actuated to further elevate the frame or the switch I99 is depressed to cause the descent thereof.

The switch I99 completes a circuit from the service supply 206 and line 201, through line 248 to the opposed coil 249 of the relay switch 231 and line 240 to the return branch 228. Energization of the coil 249 reverses the motor circuits from the lines 245 and 246 at the double contacts 250 and 25I so that the branch lines 252 and 253 change the polarity of the motor at the lines 245 and 246 and accordingly the motor 81 operates to lower the frame I1. Preferably, during the above-described selection of motor control, the hand wheel 86 is disengaged from the shaft 88 at the clutch 90. It has also been found preferable to employ conventional switches which produce exceedingly short periods of operation commonly termed inching. The frame I1 can, by the use of such forms of switches, be moved with precision to advance or feed the mold toward the belt 83 or back it away therefrom.

When it is found that the mold G and model F are mos; advantageously located with respect to each other, the switches 200 and 204 or 205 are manipulated to initiate operation of the belt motor HI and the manual r automatic control for movement of the carriage D. Closure of the switch 200 completes a circuit from the service source 206 and line 201 by a line 254 to the coil 255 of a relay switch 256 and by the lines 251 and 240 to the return branch 228. The relay 256, when actuated, closes the contacts 258 and 259 which in turn complete circuits from the service lines 243 and 244 by the lines 260 and 26I to the motor I1I through the lines 262 and 263; thence by the line 264 to the service return 223.

The carriage D, which is caused to travel according to the pressure suppl to the cylinder I80, is controlled by the switches 204 and 205. When it is desirable to operatively and automatically advance or retract the carriage, the switch 205 is actuated to open the switch 204 thereby placing the operation under control of the limit switches I92 and I93, The switch 204, when open, by-passes the control of the manual selection switches 202 and 203, while the switch 205 being closed completes a circuit from the service supply 206 and line 201 by the line 265 and branch line 266 to the switches I92 and I93. Actuation of said limit switches by the cams I85 and I86 causes sequential reversal of the mechanism of a solenoid valve 21!. The valve is connected to the pump 2I0 by the pipe 261 from the pipe 229 and to the tank 232 by the return pipes 268 and 233.

When the carriage is traveling toward the bed portion A of the machine, its extent of motion is controlled by the switch I92 when depressed or otherwise acted upon by the surface I81 of the cam I85. Upon closure of the said switch, a circuit is completed from the branch supply line 265 and by the line 269 to the end 210 of the valve 21I and a line 212 to the branch return 240. The pressure thereupon is directed from the supply branch 229 through the valve to the rear end of the cylinder I by the pipe 213, while the opposite end is connected by the pipe 214 and through the valve to the return pipe 233. The carriage will now reverse its travel and move away from the bed portion A until the surface I81 of the cam I86 engages the switch I93 causing iis closure. The switch I93, through the branch supply lincs 255 and 266 energizes the solenoid at the side 215 of the valve 21I through the line 216 and line 211 to the branch return lines 212 and 240. Pump pressure will now be connected from the suppl pipe 229 through said valve to the pipe 214 communicating wi.h the forward end of the cylinder I80 while the opposite end thereof is connected by thepipe 213 of the valve to the tank by the pipes 268 and 233. The carriage will accordingly travel toward the bed portion A until the switch I92 is again actuated by the cam I85.

During the reversing or reciprocating travel of the carriage, the belt 83, which is operated by the motor I1I, is moved laterally across the model and against progressively new areas of the mold. As the belt is thus moving over the constantly changing contours of the model and by reason of said contoured areas requires temporary increase in beltage, the pulley I2I is swung back and forth to continually compensate for the variance. The plate I 58, upon which the pulley shaft I56 is mounted, is urged by the cylinder I63 to mainiain the pulley outward to increase the expanse of belt in its returning flight. The cylinder is connected by the pipe 218 and through a self-act ing valve 219 and pipe 280 to the pump 2I0. The valve 219 is conventionally constructed to by-pass, while under a back pressure, the pump pressure into a branch return 28I; thus, when the expanse of the upper flight of the belt is increased and the piston rod I61 is forced inwardly, a release is temporarily effected within the valve. Subsequently and as the condition disappears, the valve closes its return side and the contained pressure fluid acts to thrust the pislon rod I61 outwardly so that the pulley I2I can take-up or compensate for the variance in belt length in each of the flight portions of its continuity.

Upon completion of the mold finishing operation or when it is desirable to manually control the carriage motion when the belt is not operating, the switch 205 is opened upon closure of a the switch 204. The service supply line 201 is then completed to the switches 202 and 203 through lines 282 and 283. The switch 202 is connected by the line 284 to the line 216 from the switch I93 so that upon its actuation (switch 202) a circuit is closed from the line 201 to the lines 284 and 216 to the related end 212 of the valve 2' and by the line 21'! to the branch return 240. Similarly, when the switch 203 is depressed, a circuit is created by the lines 282 and 285 to the line 269 from the switch I92 and to the related side 210 of the said I valve and by lines 212 and 240 to the return.

Operation of the several functioning parts of the machine can thus be handled at the panel I95 by the operator and in several instances while the finishing of a mold is being consummated.

become satisfied with performance of the belt between the model F and mold G.

The complete sequence of finishing a mold With the carriage D spaced from the bed portion A and the relative elements in idleness (Fig. 1), a model F is placed upon the table I9 and adequately secured thereon by clamps 288 as shownin Fig. 3. To position it advantageously, the table I9 is moved by means of the adjusting screws 2I which engage said table in its corner areas. A mold G having rough finished shaping surfaces is then attached to the frame IT. The position of said frame may be best judged by the approximated position of the model and adjustment made either by operation of the cylinder 58 or the motor 81 through the control switches I96 to I99 inclusive. The outer frame I" of the mold is clamped to the frame II by clamps 289 as best seen in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The clamps 289 are illustratory only of mold retaining means and will vary in size and form according to the dimension of the frame I" of the mold G. As shown in the figure, the clamps 289 secure the frame II'I against bars 290 carried on the ledges H of the frame.

Having properly located the model and mold, the surface of the model is rubbed with a suitable wax to reduce friction and resultant heat created by the sanding belt. Bayberry wax dissolved in gasoline and painted on the mold, may be used for this purpose; and it has also been; found desirable to apply soap, or soap in water glass, to the back of the belt.

The carriage D may then be moved to posi-- tion the belt 83 on the model F by actuation of the switch 202 and its operation of the valve 2' controlling the pressure in the cylinder I80. Before starting operation of the' belt motor III, the frame I! is lowered by the operation of the motor 81 through the actuation of the switch I99 until the shaping surfaces rest upon the belt. Preferably, then the switch I98 is closed to slightly raise the frame and mold and to avoid preliminary roughening and drag. With the motor I! I started and the controls for the cylinders I80 established for the limit switches I92 and I93 through the switch 205 so that, the belt is moving laterally across the model, the hand wheel 86 is engaged with the shaft 88 through the clutch 90. Gradual turning of the wheel 86 will progressively advance the mold G to the'traveling belt 83 until the shaping surface I I5 will have been finished to the contour of the model F, by the action of the abrasive belt during its combined linear and reciprocatory movement.

The belt may be used dry, or it may be coated with oil before use. Also, a wet grinding may be obtained by spraying water on the belt during It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjected claims.

I claim:

1. In a contouring machine, a model having a curved surface contour which it is desired to reproduce, means for immovably supporting said model in a fixed position thereon, means for supporting a work piece in operative relation to said model, an abrasive element movable over and in contact with the contoured surface of the model, means for moving said element over said model in two 'diiferent directions simultaneously, and means for creating relative movement between the work supporting means and the model supporting means toward and away from one another to bring the work into working engagement with said element as it moves over said model.

2. A contouring machine comprising, a support, a model on said support and having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, an abrasive belt having a run thereof trained over the contoured surface of said model, a support for a work piece, means for causing linear travel of said belt over the surface of the model and for simultaneously moving said belt bodily over the model, and means for causing relative movement between the work support and said model support toward and away from one another to bring the work into operative engagement with the run of the belt traveling over said model.

3. A contouring machine comprising, a support, a model on said support and having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, a belt having an abrasive surface and a relatively smooth surface, a coating of soap on the smooth surface of the belt, said belt being trained over the contoured surface of the model with said smooth and soaped surface in contact therewith, a support for a work piece, means for causing linear travel of said belt over the surface of the model and for simultaneously moving said belt bodily over said model, and means for causing relative movement between the work support and said model support to bring the work piece into operative engagement with the abrasive surface of the moving belt- 4. A contouring machine comprising, a support for a model, a model having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, means for immovably mounting said model in fixed position on said support, an abrasive belt trained over the contoured surface of said model, a work support movable toward and away from said model support, means for causing linear travel of said belt over the surface of the model and for simultaneously moving said belt bodily over said model, means for moving said work support toward and away from said model support in a direction perpendicular thereto, and means operable in the same plane for swinging said work support toward and away from said model support.

5. A contouring machine comprising, a support for a model mounted adjacent its center on a universal support, means for adjusting said model support on said universal support, a model mounted on said model support and having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, an abrasive belt trained over the contoured surface of said model, a work support normally in alignment with and movable toward and away from said model support, means for causing linear movement of said belt over the surface of the model and for moving said belt bodily over said model, and means for moving said work support to bring the work carried thereby into operative engagement with the portion of said belt traveling over said model.

6. A contouring machine comprising, a support for a model, a model mounted on said support and having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, a work support mounted above said model support for movement toward and away from said model, a carriage'movable into and out of surrounding relation with said model support, an endless abrasive belt carried on said carriage and adapted to be trained over the contoured surface of said model when said carriage is in surrounding relation to said model support, means for driving said belt over the surface of the model, and means for moving the work support to bring the work carried thereby into operative engagement with said belt as it travels over the model. i

7. A contouring machine comprising, a support for a model, a model mounted on said support and having a contour on a surface thereof which it is desired to reproduce, a work support mounted above said model support for movement toward and away from said model, a reciprocating carriage movable into surrounding relation with said model support, an endless abrasive belt carried on said carriage and adapted to be trained over the contoured surface of said model when said carriage is in surrounding relation to said model support, means for driving said belt over the surface of the model, means for reciprocating said carriage, means for limiting the reciprocatory movement of the carriage to retain the belt on said model surface, and means for moving the work support to bring the work carried thereby into operativ engagement with th moving belt.

8. A contouring machine comprising, a stationary bed, a beam extending outwardly from said bed, a model supporting table arranged above said beam, 9. universal support at the center of said model table for supporting the same on said beam, adjusting screws mounted on said beam and engaging said table at opposite corners thereof for adjusting the angularity of the table, tracks running outwardly from said bed parallel with said beam, a carriage mounted on said tracks, an abrasive belt carried by said carriage and adapted to be trained over the surface of said model, a work support also extending outwardly from said bed and mounted for vertical and swinging movement thereon, means for driving said belt, means for reciprocating said carriage on said tracks, means for raising and lowering said work support to bring the work carried thereby into operative engagement with the driven belt, and fluid operated means for swinging said work support relative to said model supporting table.

9. The method of reproducing surface contours from a model onto a work surface comprising bringing the work surface to be contoured into contact with an abrasive surface moving in two directions simultaneously over and in contact with the surface of the model that it is desired to reproduce on the work.

10. The method of reproducing surface contours onto a work surface comprising moving an abrasive belt in two directions between a surface of the contour it is desired to reproduce and a work surface to be contoured.

11. The method of reproducing surface contours from a model onto a work surface comprising bringing the work surface to be contoured into contact with an abrasive surface moving in one direction continuously and alternately in one of two other directions over and in contact with the surface of the model that it is desired to reproduce on the work.

12. In a machine for contouring the bending surface of a skeleton type bending mold, a model having a curved surface contour which it is desired to reproduce on the bending surface of said mold, a horizontally arranged support for said model, means for immovably securing the model in fixed position on said support, means for supporting a skeleton type bending mold horizontally above and in vertical alignment with said model support, an abrasive belt trained over the contoured surface of said model, means for continuously moving said belt in two directions simultaneously over said surface, and means for moving said mold support vertically to press said moving belt between the contoured surface of said model and the bending surface of the mold on said mold support.

JOHN P. PEARSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Italy June 22, 1926 Number Number 

